Improvement in draft-rods for tenders



W. R.-c1 oss.V

DRAFT-ROD FOR TENDERS.

Patented May 29,1877.

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INVENTOR,

. 4i/ATTORNEY.

N PETERS. PNOTOMTHOGRAPHER. WASHINGYON. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

WILLIAM B. CROSS, OF PIEDMONT, WEST VIRGINIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN DRAFT-RODS FOR TENDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 191,227, dated May 29,1877; application tiled May 3, 1877.

To all whom lit may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM R. Gnoss, of Piedmont, in the county ofMineral, in the State of West Virginia, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Draft-Rods for Tenders, of which the following isa full, clear, and exact description.

The object of my invention is to provide a direct line of draft betweenthe locomotive and the cars of a train, so that the strain which hasheretofore been borne by the tender shall be taken therefrom.

The invention consists in a rod secured be neath the tender, andconnected with headpieces or castings, bolted together and to theholsters of the tender.

The inventionfurther consists in providing this rod with means-as awedge and stop, acting in conjunction with the tender-framefor holdingit to the tender when it may be broken or disconnected from thecastings.

In the drawings, Figure l is a top-plan view of a tender-frame embodyingmy improvements. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof.

Similar letters refer to corresponding parts in the two figures.

The letter A designates a tender-frame, having the holsters B and C. Drepresents a wrought-iron rod, extending from the forward end of theframe to the rear bolster. This rod passes through a recess, a, in thebolster B, and in the rear of said bolster it is provided with aremovable stop-piece, b, against which rests or abuts a wedge-shapedkey, c. The key c extends into the recess ain line with the rod D. E isa casting, having a socket, d, and secured to the front side of the rearbolster. This socketed casting is designed to receive the rear end ofthe rod D, a pin or bolt being employed to retain said rod within saidsocket. F is a somewhat similar casting on the face of the rearcross-head of the tender-frame, which may serve as a coupling draw-head.G G are four rods extending through the castings E and F, and,consequently, the crosshead and rear bolster,and provided with nuts ontheir ends, screwed up against the castings, and thereby serving to boltsaid castings together. The front end of the rod D is provided with alink, e, for coupling to the locomotive. The front bolster B may bere-enforced by transverse rods H H on the frame.

In case the rod D or casting should break, the stop b will be broughtagainst the key or wedge c, which will be thereby jammed in thebolster-recess, and firmly land securely retain the rod until it may berepaired. y

By the construction described I obtain a direct line of draft from thelocomotive to the train, and thereby the strain incident to the pullingof a train, especially on grades, which has heretofore been borne by thetender, is thrown upon the locomotive, thus relieving the tender, andpermitting itto be built much lighter and much more inexpensively. Atthe same time the frame of the tender is strengthened.

The several parts being removable, they may be readily replaced orrenewed without dainage to or dismantling the tender.

What I claim is- 1. A draft-rod for locomotive-tenders, unyieldinglysecured to the rear bolster' only, and extending forward through thefront bolster, substantially as described.

2. A draft-rod for tenders, extending through the front bolster, incombination with castings on the rear of the frame, and rods connectingsaid castings, whereby said draft-rod is unyieldingly secured in saidframe, substantially as described.

3. A draft-rod for tenders, provided with a stop, and combined with awedge or key and the front bolster, substantially as described.

WILLIAM B.. CROSS.

Witnesses:

R. W. SWIFT, I. W. THoMEs.

